Keeping business at the heart of sustainable development

An article by Adam Leach, the CEO of the International Business Leadership Forum, argues that sustainable development needs to remain a core part of business' strategy, despite the temptation to side-line them in these pressing financial times.

He quotes Graham McKay, CEO of  who said that “when I look at our ten sustainable development priorities – which include using less water to make our beer; tackling poverty by stimulating economic activity among local suppliers; reducing the spread of HIV/Aids in our spheres of influence – I do not see how we could remain competitive if we invested less in these core business activities during difficult economic times... Our consumers do not see sustainable development as a discretionary activity either."

These times give businesses an opporunity to set new standards of corporate behaviour and 'reaffirm their commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices by looking carefully at how to rebuild the trust of their stakeholders - investors, employees, customers and communities.'

To read the complete article click here.